By Joy Yesufu
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested twelve suspected terrorists linked to a breakaway faction of Boko Haram known as ‘Mahmuda,’ during a coordinated operation at the Kainji Lake National Park and surrounding communities.
The suspects were apprehended as part of Operation Park Strike IV, a counterinsurgency mission aimed at flushing out armed groups from forest enclaves spanning Baruten and Kaiama Local Government Areas of Kwara State, and Borgu in Niger State.
Major General Obinna Onubogu, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, disclosed this during a visit to the troops’ forward operating base in Kaiama.
He said the suspects were arrested at various locations during an intensive raid covering over 90 kilometers from Kemanji into the forest reserve.
“Two of the suspects have been confirmed as active members of the terrorist cell, while the remaining are believed to be accomplices,” he stated.
The GOC praised the commitment and resilience of the troops, noting that they had succeeded in dislodging insurgents and clearing the area of criminal elements. He emphasized that the mission was restoring security and rebuilding trust among residents of the affected communities.
General Onubogu also visited traditional leaders, including the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Shehu Omar, and the Head of Kemanji Community, Shao’ki Aliyu Siki-Muhammed, to reinforce the Army’s support and encourage local cooperation in the ongoing operation.
The operation follows a one-month deadline issued by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, directing the clearance of the forest and border regions of terrorist elements exploiting remote terrains to launch attacks.
